Increase in vitamin D intake premature – Health Canada
September 28, 2007 by Grace Ibay
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
I previously posted that Canadian moms and infants need massive increase in vitamin D intake, according to the Pediatric Society of Canada.
In its counter report, Health Canada issued a statement that the “recommendations of various health groups are premature” and “that a comprehensive review that looks at both benefits and safety needs to be undertaken before the department can issue a revised recommendation.”
“The United States Institute of Medicine (IOM) establishes nutrient reference values, which are used by Health Canada to set policies and standards,” Health Canada said. “Until an update of the Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin D is issued by the IOM, Health Canada continues to recommend 200 IU of vitamin D per day for adults 19 to 50 years of age, including pregnant and lactating women.”
In effect counters Health Canada, more studies are needed for an increase in vitamin D intake is warranted, and especially because of risks when too much is taken.
Vitamin D toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness, and weight loss. It can also raise blood levels of calcium, causing mental status changes such as confusion. High blood levels of calcium also can cause heart rhythm abnormalities. Calcinosis, the deposition of calcium and phosphate in the body’s soft tissues such as the kidney, can also be caused by vitamin D toxicity (NIH fact sheet).
source: cbc.ca
Tags: vitamin D, toxicity, health, nutrition, canada, NIH
So interesting that you mention this! I recently read an article in Eating Well magazine that decried us Americans and our obsession with 45+ SPF sunscreen since, the article claimed, more people suffer from vitamin D deficiencies than sun-related illnesses (i.e. skin cancer). Not sure where I stand on the issue. I do love my sunshine…
Gabrielle, yeah I hear you. I think it’s good to go out and have a good dose of sun. But most people would rather not go out in the sun at all for fear of skin cancer. Maybe word needs to go out to get that sunshine in the early morning, when at least the rays’ aren’t strong and direct.